Taping mechanism



June 2, 1936. L, R, MacLEOD 2,043,051

TAPING MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR LEJTEEKMIJEO A TTORNEYS June 2, 1936. L. R. MacLEOD TAFING'MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. LESTER EMKLEOQ ATTORNEYS June 2, 1936. L. R. M LEOD TAPING MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 m T m V m LESTEEEMCLEOD.

ATTORNEYS June 2, 1936. L. R. MacLEOD 2,043,051

TAPING MECHANISM Filed June 20, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. Lair-5e EMJZEOQ ATTORNEYS June 2, 1936.

L. R. M LEOD TAPING MECHANISM F iled June 20, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR;

BY .ZEJ7'EEE/%CZEOD QM 7 m,

ATTORNEYS Patented June 2, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,043,051 TAPING MECHANISM Lester R. MacLeod, Ardsley, N. Y., assignor to v Anaconda Wire a Cable Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application June 20,

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a mechanism for supplying tape under a constant tension, and particularly to means applicable to a rotating pad of tape to apply a definite tension directly to the tape drawn from the pad and to stop the rotation of the pad when the drawing of tape therefrom stops.

In machines for tensioning tape, such as paper tape for winding onto an electric cable or conductor, it has been necessary to resist the rotation of the paper pad so as to apply tension to the tape as it is withdrawn for winding onto a core either directly or after passing through a tensioning means. Heretofore rotation has been resisted by a brake on the hub of the pad or by a friction means applied either to the outer circumferential surface or to one or both of the parallel faces of the pad.

Applying a brake to the hub has the disadvantage that it' provides a variable tension on the tape being drawn from the pad because it imposes on the pad a constant frictional torque while the lever arm from the outer edge of the pad to the axis constantly decreases, thus imposing a proportionate increase in the force or tension on the tape. If the weight of the pad is not carried on anti-friction bearings, the centrifugal force of the pad revolving around the central axis of the machine causes a corresponding pressure on the parts supporting the pad. This pressure varies with the pad size and as the square of the speed of rotation. The result is a large variation in tension on the tape. When the braking force is applied to the full surface of one or both parallel faces of the pad or to a smaller area at a fixed radius, the resulting braking force causes a variable tension in the tape, the same as explained above for braking applied to the hub.

These various disadvantages are obviated by my invention which imposes a tensioning resistance independent of centrifugal force and having a torque moment varying proportionately to the moment arm of the tape being drawn from the pad, thereby avoiding errors due to variations in speed of revolution of the taping machine, in speed of rotation of the pad or of diameter of the pad. My invention also provides a very compact and easily adjustable pad supporting mechanism.

The various features of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in-which- Fig. 1 is a view taken on a plane at right angles to the axis of the core to be wound with tape and viewing the pad holding and tensioning mechanism at right angles to its axis of rotation; Fig. 2

1935, Serial No. 27,470

is a view of a pair of associated pad holding and tensioning means taken at a right angle to the plane of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective of the tensioning means; Fig. 4 is a longitudinal section of a part of the pad holding and tensioning 5 means; Fig. 5 is a side view of the pad and tensioning means; Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views of the pad and tensioning means taken in different positions of the latter; Fig. 8 is an end view of the hub of the pad holding means; Fig. 9 is a side 10 view, parts being broken away, of the pad supporting hub, and Figs. 10 and 11 are detail perspective views of parts of the pad holding mechanlsni.

In my invention, a tape pad is mounted to ro- 1 tate about its axis on anti-friction bearings so as to avoid any resistance to rotation resulting from bearing friction and any tensioning effect through such resistance. The rotation of the pad is resisted by friction applied to the side or end 90 of the pad at or near its outer periphery at all sizes of the pad. That is, the friction is applied to the side face at or near its outer perimeter when the pad is at its maximum diameter and continues to be applied to the side of the pad with a diminishing diameter of the latter so that the point of application of the friction is at the same radius as the tape in which constant tension is desired.

The pressure of the friction means against the side of the pad is maintained within very close limits predetermined by the design of the parts. As a consequence, the frictional resistance to rotation is independent of the speed of revolution 35 of the taping machine, inasmuch as it acts at a right angle to the direction of centrifugal force, and the retarding force imposed by this frictional resistance to rotation is applied at the same radius as the tape being withdrawn and thus applies a o constant tension on the tape.

The invention also provides means to stop the rotation of the pad automatically when it reaches a minimum diameter at which the frictional resistance becomes ineffective. Means are also pro: 45 vided to remove and replace a tape pad without disturbing the adjustment of the friction applying means.

In the accompanying drawings, the invention is illustrated by way of example as applied to a cage surrounding a conductor to be wrapped. The particular apparatus illustrated is one having tape pads set at angles of about the axis of the core and having the pads arranged in sets of two so that 8 pads will be mounted in approxi- 55 mately the same general transverse plane about the core. The arrangement of individual pad and tension device and the supporting cage of the machine, is similar to that shown in the patent to French No. 1,968,251 of July 31, 1934 and copending application No. 621,658. This new arrangement is much more compact longitudinally as well as transversely. Adjoining heads located apart are so compact that they cannot interfere with each other regardless of their proximity axially of the machine.

In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, a tension roller of the type shown in the above referred to French patent is used to add to the tension resulting from the friction applied to the tape pad.

Friction is applied to the side or end of the tape pad adjacent its periphery at all diameters of pads by means of a plate or plates bent at or near the inner or central part of the pad and pressed toward the pad so that it contacts therewith at a very slight angle near the outer edgeof the pad. As the diameter of the pad decreases, the plate moves parallel to the pad axis to maintain its frictional contact near the periphery of the pad. The plate is pressed toward the pad by any suitable means as, for example, by a leaf spring.

To stop the mechanism when the pad is exhausted, a lever arm is pivoted near the center of the pad to rest against the face of the pad near its inner periphery and, in this position, to hold inactive a stopping mechanism. When the tape has been unwound from beneath this arm, the unsupported lever tilts and stops the further rotation of the pad.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, a number of rotating pads are mounted on the cross arms 01 a frame, of which' a pair of longitudinal rods 10 and a single cross arm II are shown. The cage formed by a complete set of longitudinal rods l0 and cross arms H has a rotational movement relative to a conductor or core I 2 positioned at the center of the cage. This rotational movement may be obtained either by rotating the cage about the core or conductor l2 as a center while the latter is stationary, or by rotating the core or conductor within a stationary cage, or by a combination of the rotation of the cage and core. During this relative rotation, the core is pulled or moved longitudinally of its axis. The relative rotation of the core l2 and the tape supporting cage draws tape I3 from the various taping heads l4 about a tensioning roller l5 and a lead-on or guide roller I6 to wrap the tape in helical coils onto the core l2.

The taping head I4 is mounted on a stud l1, Fig. 4, secured at about a mid-point of the cross arm II. The stud l1 may be mounted in any suitable way on the cross arm I I as, for example, by an integral collar l6 and a clamping nut IS on opposite sides of the cross arm II. The stud or shaft Il may project from each side of the cross arm II, as shown in Fig. 2, and may therefore carry a pair of taping heads l4. The taping head l4 has an inner sleeve 26 that is slidable longitudinally on the stud or shaft l1 and is adjustable thereon by means of a screw 2| that is threaded through a plate 22 on the end of the stud l1 and rotatably engages a plate 23 formed integrally on the collar or sleeve 20. It will be understood that the screw 2| may rotate freely in the plate 23 and carries the latter inwardlv nr ed to the outer end of the sleeve 31.

outwardly as the screw is threaded in one direction or the other in the plate 22.

The pad and the friction elements are supported on a second sleeve 24 fitting over the inner sleeve 26. The outer sleeve 24 may be adjusted longitudinally relative to the inner sleeve 20 by means of an internally threaded nut 25 engaging external screw threads at the free end of the sleeve 24 and rotatably secured to the plate 23 of the sleeve 20 by means of a ring 26 and screws 21 that pass through the ring 26 into the plate 23. By rotating the nut 25, the "sleeve 24 will be shifted longitudinally on the sleeve 26.

The inner raceway 26 of a ball bearing is mounted on the outer surface of the sleeve 24 and the outer raceway 29 of the ball bearing carries a threaded sleeve 29 permanently connected to a hub, for a rotating or rotatable tape pad carrier, Figs. 4 and 8 to 11 inclusive. A tape pad 3| is mounted on the hub 36 and is pressed against an outwardly projecting circular flange 32 of the hub by means ,of a holding plate 33 which is mountable indirectly on sleeve 29 and longitudinally adjustable thereon for different thicknesses of tape pads. The disc 33 is supported at its inner periphery by a ring 35, to which it is riveted, and this ring is detachably mounted on an inner ring 36 which, in turn, is rotatably secured ona sleeve 31 screwed onto the threaded sleeve 29 so as to be adjustable longitudinally thereon. The sleeve 31 is rotatable relative to the supporting ring 36 and holds the latter in fixed longitudinal relation between a flange 36 and a collar 39 rivet- The disc 33 and its hub 35 are secured in position on the ring 36 by a'bayonet engagement comprising an inwardly projecting pin 46 on the hub 35 engaging in a bayonet slot 4| on the ring 36. In placing a tape pad it is, therefore, slid onto thehub 30 until its inner face engages the flange 32, then the disc 33 is placed in position and the hub 35 engages the ring 36 by means of the bayonet joint. Thereupon, the sleeve 31 is rotated to move the disc 33 inwardly, clamping the pad tightly against the flange 32. The disc is then rotatable on the shaft or stud l1. When the sleeve 24 has once been set for a certain pad thickness, subsequent pads of the same thickness may be substituted by merely removing and replacing the ring 35.

The above mounting means enable pads of different thicknesses to be mounted and securely held by means adjustable to the thickness of the pad, and also permit pads to be removed and replaced by a simple movement without interferring with the adjustment for any given pad thickness. The pad may be removed and replaced from one side and with a movement in a single longitudinal direction, leaving the other side free for the tensioning means of my invention. This mounting means also enable two pads to be mounted on opposite sides of the stud ll, as shown in Fig. 2, so that a large number of pads may be easily and compactly mounted in a small since about the core I2.

The tensioning means on the opposite face of the pad 3| comprises a plate or strip 42 which is pressed against the pad 3| by means of a spring 43 and which is slightly concave to the pad so that it bears against the peripheral edge of the latter. The plate 42 is movable longitudinally relative to the supporting stud I1 and the sleeve 20, but is prevented from rotating with the rotating pad. For this purpose, the inner ends of the leaf spring 43 may be riveted to a plate which is in turn riveted directly to the stationary sleeve 24, as at 44 in Fig. 6. As strip or tape is unwound from the pad 3| and the diameter of the latter decreases, the spring 43 will move the plate 42 to hold it against the peripheral edge of the pad 3| with substantially constant pressure, inasmuch as the movement of ,the spring 43 is slight and, tlierei'ore'its tension does not vary greatly with the movement of the plate d2.

It will be understood that the above specificv form of spring is, however, given'only by way of example, and that other types of resilient pressure means may be employed.

Associated with the tensioning means is a stopping device to stop the rotation of the winding or wrapping means when the pad has been unwound and the end of the strip or tape is reached. This stopping means comprises a bracket 46 mounted preferably on the spring 43 and near the sleeve 24 and carrying a lever 41, one arm 48 of which extends parallel to the face of the pad 3| and is pressed against the latter by means of a spring 49. When the pad 3| has'decreased to such a diameter that the lever arm 48 is no longer supported by the face of the pad, the spring 49 rotates it in a clockwise direction so that the opposite arm 50 of the lever is brought into contact with a terminal 5|, thus establishing an electric circuit between a conductor 52 connected to the spring 49 and a conductor 53 connected to the terminal 5|. The terminal 5| is separated from the spring 49 by means of a block of insulation 54 which is secured with the bracket 46 and spring 49 to the plate 43 and which, in turn, supports the terminal 5|.

In the operation of the device, it will be understood that when a pad is mounted in the hub 3|] it displaces the plate 42 and thus provides the required pressure friction at the peripheral edge of the pad. As the diameter of the pad decreases, the plate 42 will be pressed against this peripheral edge by the spring 43, thus continually applying a substantially constant friction at the edge of the pad.

When the pad decreases to such a diameter as to no longer form a support for the lever arm 48, the latter is rotated by the spring 49 to make contact between the wires 52 and 53. The latter wires control a stopping mechanism for the entire machine which is not illustrated as it forms no part of the present invention, and is a mechanism in present use and of known construction.

It will be obvious that upon the replacement of the pad, the lever 41 is automatically rotated counter-clockwise to break the circuit and to permit the rotation of the pad.

It will be understood that the friction means may be used in association with a tension roller l5, as indicated in Fig. 1, or may be used alone without such tension roller.

The tension roller I5 and associated elements are mounted on a bracket 55 positioned on sleeve 29 near its inner end by a dog pointed set screw 60 and clamped by means of a split hub contracted by clamp screw 56. The bracket 55 carries an electric motor 51 geared to the roller l5 through gearing 58 to apply torque in a direction opposite to the movement of the tape l3. The bracket 55 also supports guides 59 for guiding the tape onto the tension roller.

All adjustments of the pad holding means for different widths of pad, etc., are made upon the stud without changing the position of the arms along the rods Hi. When the pad supporting means is to be adjusted for a particular Width of sleeve 29. and guiding means is to be varied or adjustable tape or thickness of pad, the sleeve 24 is adjusted longitudinally on the supporting sleeve by rotating the nut 25, as indicated in broken lines in Fig. 4, until the inner edge of the pad 3| is aligned with the inner guide 59 which will have been set to the thickness of the tape so that the center line of the tape will be properly centered on the tension roller l5.

Then the pad is mounted on the hub and the ring positioned on the ring 36 and locked thereon by means of the bayonet joint connection.

t may then be tightened on to the pad 3| by rotating the ring 31 to secure the latter on the When the position of the pad carrying as a whole, the screw 2| is rotated in one direction or the other until the pad supports and guiding means are properly positioned by means of clamp screw 56, Fig. 2, which contracts the split hub of bracket 55 and the split end of sleeve 29. The above adjusting means enable all adjustments to be made without changing the position of the cross arms II, which would be very troublee some in a cage type apparatus.

What I claim is- 1. Tensioning mechanism which comprises means to support a pad of strip material to rotate as said material is unwound, a non-rotating friction plate having a surface intersecting a side of said pad at the peripheral edge thereof at all 30 diameters of said pad, and a leaf spring having its ends bent parallel with the axis of rotation of said pad and supporting said plate at said ends.

2. Tensioning mechanism which comprises means to support a pad of tape to rotate with the unwinding of said tape therefrom, a non-rotating friction plate, and a leaf spring secured in fixed axial relation with one face of said pad and bearing against said friction plate at the outer edges thereof, said friction plate being dished so that its surface intersects the face of said pad at the peripheral edge of the latter for all diameters of said pad.

3. Tensioning mechanism which comprises a supporting stud, a sleeve adjustable longitudinally on said stud, said sleeve having an antifriction bearing and said bearing having a support for a pad mounted thereon, a disc mounted on said bearing and adjustable toward one face of said pad and dished to intersect said pad at its peripheral edge, a spring pressing said friction plate toward said pad, and a bayonet joint connection between said disc and said friction beari 4. Tensioning mechanism which comprises a supporting stud, a sleeve adjustable longitudinally on said stud, said sleeve having an anti-friction bearing and said bearing having 'a support for a pad mounted thereon, a disc mounted on said bearing and adjustable toward one face of said pad, a plate movable axially toward the other face of said pad and dished to intersect said pad at its peripheral edge, a spring pressing said friction plate toward said pad, tension and guiding means at the peripheral edge of said pad, and means mounted on said sleeve to support said friction means.

5. A friction means which comprises a supporting stud, a supporting sleeve slidably mounted on said stud, an adjustable means for adjusting the position of said sleeve on said stud, an antifriction bearing on said sleeve, a friction disc and a supporting spring therefor mounted on said sleeve in fixed position to said anti-friction bearing, pad supporting means on said anti-friction bearing, and a disc adjustable on said anti friction bearing for contact with the face of said pad. opposite said friction plate, said friction plate being dished toward said pad to bear against one face thereof at its peripheral edge.

6. Tape wrapping and frictioning means which comprises a frame having longitudinal members and cross arms, supporting studs, one on each of said arms and projecting from opposite sides of said arm. pad supporting and frictioning means mounted on each projecting end of each of said studs, said pod supporting and frictioning means compris ng a supporting slecve, a friction plate and a supporting spring therefor mounted on said sleeve, a pad supporting anti-friction bearing also mounted on said sleeve in fixed relation to said plate supporting spring, said bearing being adjustable longitudinally on said sleeve, and a disc longitudinally movable to abut the face of said pad opposite said friction plate.

7. Tape wrapping and frictioning means which comprises a frame having longitudinal members and cross arms, supporting studs, one on each of said arms and projecting from opposite sides of said arm, pad supporting and frictioning means mounted on each projecting end of each of said studs, said pad supporting and frictioning means comprising a supporting sleeve, a friction piate and a supporting spring therefor mounted on said sleeve, a pad supporting anti-friction bearing also mounted on said sleeve in fixed relation to said plate supporting spring, said bearing being adjustable longitudinally on said sleeve, a disc longitudinally movable to abut the face of said pad opposite said friction plate, a tension means and a supporting bracket therefor depending from said sleeve.

LESTER R. MACLEOD. 

